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12 Jul 13:20
Here's what we can expect the Google Pixel XL 2 to look like
by Andrew Martonik
Google's Pixel XL may be going bigger, and sleeker, in 2017
We now have a solid idea of what the Pixel XL's 2017 successor will look like. Android Police, which is generally good about these sorts of things, has published renders of its approximation of what the so-called "Pixel XL 2017" will look like, based on information it has from internal sources. For those keeping up with all of the Pixel rumors back at home, this is the phone known by the codename "Taimen." That's the largest of the three rumored upcoming Google devices, with both "Muskie" and "Walleye" also in some progression of development.
For what it's worth, the naming of the forthcoming device has yet to be finalized. We could be looking at simply "Pixel XL" with no further denomination, "Pixel XL 2" or something else entirely. Names can be finalized much later than the hardware, and often are — we'll stick to calling this the Pixel XL 2 for now.
Corroborating with previous reports, this confirms that LG is the manufacturer of this new Pixel XL 2, rather than HTC that built the original Pixel and Pixel XL (of course, without any branding indicating the fact). Some of that influence is immediately apparent in the phone — there's a tall and skinny 18:9 display with rounded corners like the LG G6, which is reportedly 6-inches diagonal, with much smaller bezels than the current Pixel XL. Curved glass on the front is very pronounced, though the screen itself is actually flat underneath.
Lots of LG G6 influence, but plenty to tie it back to the original HTC-built Pixel XL.
The large glass pane at the top of the back of the phone remains, though the fingerprint sensor is no longer inside that glass as the phone is taller than before. In addition to the the back glass panel, there's a clear familiarity in design from the current Pixel XL to the new Pixel XL 2. There's still a metal frame that's nicely brushed to a simple texture that's flat across the back and rounded on the edges and corners.
Though the manufacturing has changed hands from HTC to LG, the report says the Pixel XL 2 will have a squeezable frame not unlike the HTC U11, which is mildly interesting to see.
The question remains, though, what is to be done with the standard Pixel's successor in 2017. Will it be a smaller version of this design? Or perhaps a simpler refresh of last year's phone? And what about the expected third Google-branded phone to be released this year? We can expect to see more information leak as we get closer to the launch.
Google Pixel + Pixel XL
11 Jul 22:10
15 new and notable Android games from the last week (7/5/17 - 7/11/17)
by Matthew Sholtz
Welcome to the roundup of the best new Android games that went live in the Play Store or were spotted by us in the previous week or so.
Please wait for this page to load in full in order to see the widgets, which include ratings and pricing info.
Looking for the previous roundup editions? Find them here.
Games
Star Vikings Forever
Star Vikings Forever is a lot like Plants vs.
Read More15 new and notable Android games from the last week (7/5/17 - 7/11/17) was written by the awesome team at Android Police.
11 Jul 19:13
Cheating Chinese certificate authorities, caught by Certificate Transparency, will get the death penalty
by Cory Doctorow
In 2012, Google introduced Certificate Transparency, an internet-wide tripwire system designed to catch cryptographic "certificate authorities" who abused their position to produce counterfeit credentials that would allow criminals, governments and police to spy on and tamper with secure internet connections. (more…)
11 Jul 19:12
Gangnam Style finally dethroned as most-played YouTube video
by Rob Beschizza
On YouTube, Gangnam Style's been the most-played video for five years—a little-known testament to the grim reality of popular culture these days. But no longer! It has finally been dethroned, by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth's See You Again. Moreover, Despacito, embedded above, seems likely to storm past it in due course.
Here's the top 10.
1) Wiz Khalifa, See You Again (ft Charlie Puth) - 2,895,373,709
2) Psy, Gangnam Style - 2,894,426,475
3) Justin Bieber, Sorry - 2,635,572,161
4) Mark Ronson, Uptown Funk (ft Bruno Mars) - 2,550,545,717
5) Luis Fonsi, Despacito (ft Daddy Yankee) - 2,482,502,747
6) Taylor Swift, Shake It Off - 2,248,761,095
7) Enrique Iglesias, Bailando - 2,232,756,228
8) Maroon 5, Sugar - 2,150,365,635
9) Katy Perry, Roar - 2,129,400,973
10) Taylor Swift, Blank Space - 2,101,607,657
11 Jul 18:16
Ferrari driver ignores "no parking" signs and finds his car in inconvenient spot
by David Pescovitz
A Ferrari driver in southeast England ignored warnings not to leave cars overnight on the ninth floor of the Brighton Marina parking garage. The fellow returned on Sunday morning to find his fancy ride in the middle of a bustling flea market.
(HuffPo)
11 Jul 18:15
Just in time for Halloween 2017, Netflix will offer up all new episodes of its hit series Stranger Things: We now know that we’re going to get the second season episodes on October 27, confirmed via a poster shared by Netflix on Twitter depicting the show’s four protagonists staring down an ominous looking storm. We’ve seen a trailer for the show already (embedded below) and… Read More
Stranger Things Season 2 arrives on Netflix on October 27
by Darrell Etherington
Just in time for Halloween 2017, Netflix will offer up all new episodes of its hit series Stranger Things: We now know that we’re going to get the second season episodes on October 27, confirmed via a poster shared by Netflix on Twitter depicting the show’s four protagonists staring down an ominous looking storm. We’ve seen a trailer for the show already (embedded below) and… Read More
11 Jul 18:14
Louis Vuitton’s first Android Wear device, Tambour Horizon, starts at $2,500
by Ben Schoon
The strength of Android Wear is the diverse ecosystem of hardware it is available on. Today, the premium end of that ecosystem expands just a bit more with the debut of Louis Vuitton’s first Android Wear watch, the Tambour Horizon.
11 Jul 00:23
13 new and notable Android apps and live wallpapers from the last week (7/4/17 - 7/10/17)
by Matthew Sholtz
Welcome to the roundup of the best new Android applications and live wallpapers that went live in the Play Store or were spotted by us in the previous week or so.
Please wait for this page to load in full in order to see the widgets, which include ratings and pricing info.
Looking for the previous roundup editions? Find them here.
Featured App
Keybee Keyboard
Today's roundup is presented by Keybee Keyboard, from Papalia Marco.
Read More13 new and notable Android apps and live wallpapers from the last week (7/4/17 - 7/10/17) was written by the awesome team at Android Police.
10 Jul 18:28
Watch a very cute bat gobble up a banana
by David Pescovitz
Watch Denise Wade of Bat Conservation and Rescue QLD in Queensland Australia feed a banana to a a rescued bat. The bat was hit by a car and the driver kindly covered the injured animal with a box until help arrived.
"On this occasion we have a happy outcome and with no broken bones and only a slight concussion, Miss Alisha (named for the car's driver) will spend a short time in care before being released back to her colony," writes Wade.
(via Neatorama)
10 Jul 18:28
Vans sneakers featuring the Peanuts gang!
by David Pescovitz
The new Vans x Peanuts sneaker collaboration is killer. These are just a few of the many shoe styles and graphics available.
10 Jul 18:18
One of Lucid’s prototype Air vehicles returned to the Transportation Research Facility’s oval race track recently for a second round of high-speed performance testing – and this time, it ran the tests without a software speed limiter in place. The first time around, said speed limiter meant that the Air prototype never exceeded speeds of 217 mph; without that limiter in place,… Read More
The Lucid Air tops 235 mph in new high-speed performance test
by Darrell Etherington
One of Lucid’s prototype Air vehicles returned to the Transportation Research Facility’s oval race track recently for a second round of high-speed performance testing – and this time, it ran the tests without a software speed limiter in place. The first time around, said speed limiter meant that the Air prototype never exceeded speeds of 217 mph; without that limiter in place,… Read More
08 Jul 22:34
Google says the Allo desktop client is coming in a "few more weeks"
by Corbin Davenport
Allo is actually a really nice application, but there are simply too many missing features for me to use it in any meaningful capacity. One of those missing features is a desktop client, which was first revealed by Nick Fox (Google VP of Communications) in February. In May, he tweeted that the web client was still "a month or two from public release." It's been about a month and a half since that statement, but the Allo desktop client is still a ways off.
Read MoreGoogle says the Allo desktop client is coming in a "few more weeks" was written by the awesome team at Android Police.
07 Jul 17:42
Latch hooking helps my child forget how long we've been in the car
by Jason Weisberger
My daughter erupted in smiles when I told her I'd gotten her a few latch hook kits for our upcoming roadtrip.
While I'm sure a Smartphone isn't enough to help my kid stay sane for hours, I'd have given my brother for one. While Angry Birds and Plants vs Zombies won't be enough to entertain her, latch hook surprisingly will!
Buy your own hook! Frequently the kits don't come with them!
I am looking forward to having this 70s style shag heart for our VW Camper, as we go visit some National Parks. WORK FASTER CHILD!
Wonderart Shaggy From The Heart Latch Hook Kit, 12" X 12" via Amazon
6.5in. Wooden Latch Hook Tool via Amazon
07 Jul 17:41
mySugr, a popular digital diabetes management platform which emerged from Austria a few years ago, has been acquired by health giant Roche. It now becomes the heart of Roche Diabetes Care’s new patient-centered digital health services. Roche plans to maintain its acquisition as an open and independent platform for health insurance companies, medical technology companies, and… Read More
Diabetes platform mySugr exits to Roche for as much as $100M
by Mike Butcher
mySugr, a popular digital diabetes management platform which emerged from Austria a few years ago, has been acquired by health giant Roche. It now becomes the heart of Roche Diabetes Care’s new patient-centered digital health services. Roche plans to maintain its acquisition as an open and independent platform for health insurance companies, medical technology companies, and… Read More
07 Jul 13:38
Albuquerque newsreader has had quite enough
by Rob Beschizza
Doug Fernandez, a newsreader at KOAT in Albuquerque, adapted quickly and efficiently to a technical problem patching in a reporter on location. Then he gave up.
07 Jul 13:37
Amazing drone photography contest winners
by Andrea James
Dronestagram's fourth annual International Drone Photography Contest had to be tough to judge, given how many great shots made the finals. Above: "Waterlilly" by helios1412. Below: "Two Moo" by LukeMaximoBell. (more…)
06 Jul 16:50
'Hawaii Five-0' stars quit over racial inequity
by Jason Weisberger
Unable to secure equal pay, Hawaii Five-O stars Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park have quit the show.
Members of Hollywood’s small but vocal Asian-American community are speaking out in support of former Hawaii Five-0 stars Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park, who have left the series after failed contract negotiations with CBS and CBS Television Studios.“Unfortunately, the racial hierarchy established in the original 1968-1980 series remained intact in the 2010 reboot: Two white stars on top, two Asian/Pacific Islander stars on bottom,” Guy Aoki, founding president of Media Action Network for Asian Americans, wrote in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
News of Kim's and Park’s departures broke Friday before the Independence Day holiday, with sources confirming to THR that Kim and Park had requested and been denied pay equity alongside fellow original castmembers Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan. In a lengthy Facebook post Wednesday, Kim noted that he based his decision to leave on the inability to reach an agreement on a new contract, and added, “The path to equality is rarely easy.” Sources say that Kim and Park asked to be compensated on par with leads O’Loughlin and Caan, who also receive a cut of the series’ back-end profit.
Binaryjesus likes this
06 Jul 13:05
Keep your eyes on the road, except to look at these signs
by Rusty Blazenhoff
Spotted in Tulsa, Oklahoma by Jerrinq, these distracting traffic signs seem to contradict their messages.
05 Jul 23:43
How to keep your Android contacts current and duplicate-free
by Florence Ion
Any time is the perfect time to do a little phone book shuffling.
Although smartphones have progressed exponentially through the last decade, I'm still finding myself bumping up against remnants of the past.
Take my contacts list, for instance, or my "electronic Rolodex," if you will. I've had these contacts since I held my first smartphone in 2010. But there were some strange happenings back then, including friends who were still tending separate numbers because of their former T-Mobile Sidekicks, and weirdly those memories linger on thanks to a snafu in my phone book.
I was reminded of Andy Rubin's first major claim to fame.
I was reminded of Andy Rubin's first major claim to fame just the other day, as I texted a multi-paragraph diatribe to my friend who I figured was avoiding me for whatever reason (it was probably my fault). It turns out that I'd simply been sending messages to the wrong number for the last three months! Somehow, I resurrected my friend's phone number for his Sidekick from back in the day, and it turns out that I never deleted it from my Google account.
I eventually remedied the situation, but it got me thinking about contacts maintenance, and how summer is the right time to take some time to eliminate those extra numbers taking up space and maybe merging any duplicates you've collected over the past few months. After all, your digital phonebook can very easily become jumbled in the process, especially if you're always switching phones.
It's also surprisingly difficult to find a decent contacts manager in the Google Play store — at least at first search. Simpler Merge Duplicates and Merge+ seem to be the more popular titles available, but I didn't like that the former requires you to log in with an external account. There are also apps like Contacts+ and Sync.Me, both of which offer caller ID and dialer functionality as well as a bevy of other features. However, I like to use something that's a little less intrusive.
Contacts Optimizer is one of the best contacts management app I've used thus far, though there are plenty more to choose from.
I've always been partial to Contacts Optimizer because it works locally to find duplicates. It's also very thorough at detecting blank entries, fixing country codes, and digitizing vanity numbers, not to mention it can locate contacts that you can't even call because the number is altogether incorrect. There's an easy-to-use wizard you can toggle on to fill in empty contacts, and you can check on which of your apps have inherited weird metadata as a result of jumping around platforms. There's also a data backup ability, and MOBILedit offers a PC-compatible suite if you're aching to take your contacts management to the extreme.
Of course, you don't have to use a fancy third-party contacts app if you don't want to. Instead, you can manage your contacts manually from the Google Contacts web app, which gives you access to all those years of data you didn't even know you had. Google Contacts also has a duplicates locator, or you can use it to import and export your entire address book. Don't expect turnkey automation here, though; if you want that, you'll have to try one of the apps I mentioned above.
How do you manage?
With the massive number of contact apps available in the Play Store, and duplicates plaguing so many smartphones, we're curious to hear what your phone book maintenance methodologies are. Do you practice a ritualistic cleanse session each season? Or have you simply given up keeping tabs on whether your cloud data is doing what it's supposed to do?
Leave us a comment, especially if there's a contacts management app you particularly like.
05 Jul 23:40
EU convenes panel to check Android antitrust case, record fines possible by year’s end
by Abner Li
The $2.7 billion fine Europe levied against Google last week over its Shopping product was quite significant. However, that is the least of Google’s troubles as they face another record fine over perceived antitrust aspects of Android. The latest move sees the EU setting up another panel of experts to provide a second opinion on the ongoing case.
05 Jul 15:14
Google Earth Live: Explore.org invites you to hang out with Alaskan Brown Bears
by Tanya BirchGoogle Earth Outreach
Spring comes quickly to Alaska. The snowpack melts, rivers swell with crisp water, delicate blue forget-me-nots bloom near the water’s edge, and brown bears emerge from a six or seven month hibernation in the Katmai National Park. On their annual migration from the ocean to their spawning grounds, sockeye salmon rush up the Brooks River until they meet the falls. Waiting for them there are the bears, who eagerly paw the air, striking for some fresh protein as they jump out of the water.
Beginning today, we’re bringing live content to Google Earth’s storytelling platform, Voyager. In a story by Explore.org you can journey into Katmai National Park — watch the hungry bears dine out at Brooks Falls or salmon darting towards the underwater livecam.
Hear a personal perspective from the founder of Explore.org, Charles Annenberg, in which he shares his motivations for putting the Explore.org livecam network together, including the Katmai bear livecams.
Ready, Set, Explore!
05 Jul 15:11
Report condemns British police over failure to investigate stalking and harassment
by Rob Beschizza
In 112 recent cases of stalking and harassment reviewed by UK police watchdogs, "not a single one was dealt with properly," reports the BBC. The report, "Living in Fear," found that victims of harassment and stalking were widely disregard and left at risk, and often told that the harassment they received was their own fault.
One in five women and one in ten men report being stalked in the UK. The Crime Survey for England and Wales (as quoted by the BBC) reports 4.6% of women and 2.7% of men aged 16-59 were victims in 2015-16.
One victim said police made her feel she was to blame for receiving abusive messages on social media. "It was my fault for being on Facebook," she said.
The report also said police officers were failing to recognise repeated signs of a stalker, by treating each complaint in isolation rather than being part of a pattern.
That, in turn, meant police and prosecutors did not see the bigger picture and appreciate the full scale of the harm suffered by the victim.
Helen Pearson, from Devon, reported her stalker to the police 125 times over five years.
"They literally didn't want to know," she said. "I was a nuisance."
One victim publicly refused to accept an apology from Devon and Cornwall Police after being attacked by her stalker with a pair of scissors.
Helen Pearson, 34, suffered neck and face wounds when her neighbour Joseph Willis attacked her with scissors in an Exeter graveyard.
She had made 125 reports to Devon and Cornwall Police about Willis' stalking before the attack in 2013. The force said its "investigation and victim care did not meet the high standards we expect".
Ms Pearson said the apology "didn't do anything" for her
A key point of failure is the police's use of "Police Information Notices" to deal with suspects. In effect suspects are ticketed for harassment--with no serious threat of investigation or punishment--but in accepting the ticket, waive the right to appeal or further due process. Even The Daily Mail, the evil pulsating Nazi brain of British misogyny, condemns the bureaucratic moral hazards in play. Everyone loses--victim, suspect, public--except the police, who get to crumble up a problem and toss it in the bin. The report demands the immediate scrapping of the whole system.
05 Jul 15:09
Man takes duck for a nice run
by Rob Beschizza
Not all is wrong with the world. If you don't have 40 seconds to spare, jump straight to the best bit.
04 Jul 21:19
16 new and notable Android games from the last week (6/28/17 - 7/4/17)
by Matthew Sholtz
Welcome to the roundup of the best new Android games that went live in the Play Store or were spotted by us in the previous week or so.
Please wait for this page to load in full in order to see the widgets, which include ratings and pricing info.
Looking for the previous roundup editions? Find them here.
Featured App
Cubiscape
Today's roundup is presented by Cubiscape from Peter Kováč.
Read More16 new and notable Android games from the last week (6/28/17 - 7/4/17) was written by the awesome team at Android Police.